Genuinely Simple Garlic Butter Shrimp

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A restaurant-quality seafood dish perfected with minimal ingredients, featuring plump shrimp bathed in garlic-infused butter. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, butter, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt 3 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat until foaming. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant — do not brown.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb shrimp to skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, juice of 1/2 lemon, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until shrimp are heated through and sauce is glossy.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat immediately. Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Genuinely Simple Garlic Butter Shrimp take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Genuinely Simple Garlic Butter Shrimp?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Genuinely Simple Garlic Butter Shrimp?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Genuinely Simple Garlic Butter Shrimp for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Genuinely Simple Garlic Butter Shrimp?

American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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